The Hanlons in Rwanda

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I have been taking an online class on Christian Leadership. This has been really good for me, since it has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own leadership as well as the leadership of others. I’m sure the people around me have noticed: leadership is coming up in conversations and in my preaching.

I was doing some unrelated reading in Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, and I came across his thoughts on leadership, particularly the leadership of the Roman Emperor, Caligula. In his Jewish Antiquities (19.2.5) Josephus reflects that unchecked power leads to corruption:

“For all that, the advantages obtained from education could not withstand the corruption wrought upon him [Emperor Caligula] by his rise to power; so hard to achieve, it seems, is the virtue of moderation for those who find it easy to take action for which they need account to no one” (LCL, 433, 312-13).

Where he mentions “the virtue of moderation“, Josephus uses a Greek word also found in the New Testament, which is translated as “being of sound mind,” “sensible,” or “right-minded.” For example, when Jesus cast the “Legion” of unclean spirits out of the man in the country of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1ff), Mark reports: “And they [the people who heard about it] came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid” (Mark 5:15). Demon possession is contrasted with being “in his right mind.”

Josephus’ use of this term in contrast to unchecked power, implies that he saw the corruption of Caligula, and leaders like him, as like the kind of madness seen in the demon possessed man. In the context, Josephus catalogued the corruption of Caligula. This madness/ corruption is specifically because the leader did not have to give an account, he was not liable to anyone.

In the reading I’ve been doing on Christian leadership, I’ve noticed over and over again an emphasis on leaders having accountability. Since we are in Lent, I would encourage all of us who lead, in whatever capacity, to take time to reflect on our leadership and seek accountability so that we can grow in sensible, right-minded leadership for the sake of our followers.

The new year is a time to look ahead as well as to take stock of the past year. I’m sure many of you are spending time in reflection, I certainly am. As I think about 2017 I realize that I have done a lot of reading, some for school and some for pleasure. So I wanted to share some of the books I read last year that had an impact on me.

First, I did a lot more academic reading in 2017, partly because I started a Doctor of Ministry program this year.

For my first Doctoral seminar on Jesus in his context I read Making Sense of Sex: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Early Jewish and Christian Literatureby William Loader. Sexuality is an ever present topic of discussion and debate, and Jesus is often co-opted as a voice in support of either side. This book explores what a first century Jew, like Jesus or Paul, would have thought about sex and sexuality, if they were consistent with their Jewish environment. While I didn’t agree with all his conclusions, the information Loader provides is very helpful.

One more academic book. I’ve been reading up for my next DMin seminar, in a few weeks. I have found Jesus against the Scribal Elite: The Origins of the Conflict by Chris Keith to be very helpful for understanding the hostility toward Jesus from the Jewish Leaders. Keith asserts that Jesus would have upset societal norms simply by presenting himself as an authoritative teacher. By entering into space reserved for a select, literate few, Jesus assumed a status that some would have thought he did not deserve. This, in part, led to his rejection and possibly to his death.

Aside from the academic books I’ve read in the past year, I have read a few for pleasure.

I really enjoy P. D. James, and am always amazed by the abilities of Female British Mystery writers. James is well known in this category (I recommend her Death in Holy Orders). She has also written other forms of fiction, including The Children of Men. Some of you may be familiar with this title, since the book was adapted as a film in 2006. The movie departs from the book in significant ways, but maintains the foundational premise: that the human race has lost the ability to have babies.

My Summer Hebrew professor mentioned a book that had been significant for him: The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, so I picked it up at his recommendation. The story is set in Mexico at a time when the Catholic church has been outlawed, and follows a priest (“the Whiskey Priest”), who is struggling to remain faithful to his calling. In essence, the book wrestles with the disparity between appearances and reality: The Church is more than it may sometimes appear to be.

Have you read any of these titles? I wonder what books have had an impact on you in 2017? I’ve already got a stack of books to read in the coming year, but I’m sure to be coming back to these ones in time.

I can’t believe we haven’t written since Christmas. Well actually, I’m not surprised as my one track mind has been fixated in one direction over the last few months. Perhaps Daniel’s Facebook and Instagram posts are about all that we have shared recently.
At the beginning of January I stepped in to substitute teach for the KICS 4th grade teacher who was taking maternity leave. I loved being back in the classroom, though it was a bit all consuming at times. Being in 4th grade was quite a shift from my previous middle school and high school teaching roles. However, I enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot along the way.
KICS started a J-Term this year. For the primary kids, each grade had a different direction that they focused on for a few weeks. In 4th grade we had the opportunity to dive in to discover Rwandan culture, history, geography, dance and language. It was a fun start to my three months in 4th grade.

The 4th grade class learning Intore (Rwandan traditional) dance

I also had the privilege of shepherding the kids through their second student-led conference of the year. It was so fun to see the kids take responsibility for their learning, set goals for their final quarter and articulate to their parents areas that they have grown and where they are struggling.

Student Led Conferences

On a daily basis I was the 4th grade homeroom teacher and taught Math and Science to both 4th and 5th grade. One major highlight for me was the first 15 minutes of each day. After greeting the kids as they arrived, we would begin each day with a brief class community time. We shared and discussed a passage of Scripture, sang a song or two and prayed – something that is so rare nowadays in typical American classrooms. I treasured those kids’ hearts as they lifted their voices in praise and as they prayed for one another and for the world.

I am so thankful for my time back in the classroom with these kids and once again reminded of what a joy it is to serve in this community in Rwanda. My time filling in as the 4th grade substitute came to a close at the beginning of April. The kids showered me with kind notes and hugs, though I will still be close by. As the kids adjust back to their “real” teacher, I’ll now begin the transition to a different, more longer-term role as the Director of Teaching and Learning. Thanks be to God for this beautiful, yet short, season – for the challenges that came, the lessons learned, and the precious learning moments with students.